Dean Wesley Smith

The Journal: The Five Most Important Things

In today’s Journal * Topic: A Question * Thanks * The novel * Of Interest * The Numbers First, a shout-out to Bob B for his continued support (as verified by almost daily TalkWalker alerts) of my nonfiction books Quiet Your Critical Voice (and Write Fiction), Writing the Character-Driven Story and this Journal. Thanks, Bob. I appreciate it. Topic: A Question Or maybe a test, I dunno. I was going to make a list (in my opinion, of course) of the Five Most Important Things writers should know, but instead I decided to ask you. So in your experience as … Read more

The Journal: Poetry Techniques for the Fictionist

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * A relatively short post * Poetry Techniques for the Fictionist * Toxic Productivity * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “Be careful to apply your poetic sensibilities to every line.” David Farland A relatively short post today to give you (and me) a break. The novel’s still racing right along. Poetry Techniques for the Fictionist I included the quote of the day to make a point: Apparently I’m not the only writer who believes learning and applying poetry techniques can enhance your fiction, or your nonfiction for that … Read more

The Journal: Point of View

In today’s Journal * A lighter day * Topic: Whose Point of View Is It? * Of Interest * The Numbers Had a lighter day yesterday. I wanted to break 30,000 words but didn’t quite get there. I found a glitch I had to work out. This series has a cast of dozens of main characters, so I get confused with some of the names and assignments every now and then. (grin) When that happens, it’s better to slow down and work out glitches when I find them than to wait and hope for the best. But the story’s still … Read more

The Journal: It’s Good to Be Back

In today’s Journal * Quick Diary of Days * A Very Pleasant Surprise * Of Interest * The Numbers It’s good to finally be back. Incredible how being without the internet for a few days disrupts a schedule. Since I’ve been gone, I thought I’d toss out a quick diary of those few days. Monday: I wrote some (Day 5), messed around some, went to the grocery, wrote some more, moved the cactuses from the Hovel where they were stored for the winter back to their normal places in the yard, wrote a little more, and set up my portable … Read more

The Journal: Willie Nelson wrote a song

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Short announcement * Willie Nelson wrote a song * Topic: A Few Myths About Writing Into the Dark * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “If we take man as he is, we make him worse, but if we take him as he should be, we make him capable of becoming what he can be.” Viktor Frankl quoting Goethe A short announcement—Dean posted today that the surveys for the Return of the Fey Kickstarter should go out this week. So if you donated anything to that, you should … Read more

The Journal: Waxing Philosophical

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Waxing Philosophical * One more comment * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.” Ernest Hemingway “When asked [by a journalist] about drinking while working, Hemingway once responded, ‘Jesus Christ! Have you ever heard of anyone who drank while he worked? You’re thinking of Faulkner. He does sometimes—and I can tell right in the middle of a page when he’s had his first one.’” Nicholas Mancall-Bitel at Thrillist … Read more

The Journal: On Writing “Fast”

In today’s Journal * Yesterday * An Epiphany from a Friend * Topic: On Writing “Fast” * Of Interest * The Numbers Well, yesterday morning I started writing Terra 2. But it still has to do with the future of humanity, so Terra 2 will be Book 10 in the FOH series. The covers going forward will be different, of course, depicting some view of the planet, but that’s all to worry about in the future. This book won’t go ‘live’ until July 15. (I’m releasing one novel every two weeks from now through then.) An Epiphany from a Friend … Read more

The Journal: Conscious Mind

In today’s Journal * Quote of the Day * Conscious Mind * Of Interest * The Numbers Quote of the Day “We can’t solve poverty or hunger, but we’re going to solve global warming. Think about that.” Anonymous, from a meme Well, sometime or other I slipped from thinking it would be nice personally to finish 6 novels in the first quarter of the year to “trying” to make it happen. That’s conscious mind crap. And as a result, I had a non-writing day yesterday, the second one for this novel. I actually wrote probably 5,000 words yesterday in fits … Read more

The Journal: Nothing Much Today

In today’s Journal * Quotes of the Day * Nothing much today * Of Interest * The Numbers Quotes of the Day “The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.” George Bernard Shaw Nothing much today in the Journal. I’m kind’a concentrating on getting the novel done and out. So nothing bad going on, just writing. If I’m not here for the next day or two, that’s why. Well, the novel’s writing a little slower again and I’m a little nervous about it because the end is nowhere in sight. I guess … Read more

The Journal: Statement by the ALA

In today’s Journal * Oof. The novel * Topic: Freedom to Read Statement * The Numbers Well, no Journal yesterday (my novel and I were arguing) and not much of one today. Sorry about that. Oof. This novel’s being difficult. This one is writing harder than any since way back in the Wes Crowley series when I wrote Book 3 as a bridge between Books 2 and 4. That one was difficult for a reason, though. I had to merge two timelines. Honestly, I’m not sure why this one’s being difficult. Anyway, I haven’t hit my daily word count goal … Read more